World Down Syndrome Day

Maryland’s Online Celebration and Dance Party

March 19th from 3:30 to 4:30 PM

World Down Syndrome Day is recognized every year worldwide on March 21^st to celebrate the lives of people with Down syndrome and their families. Due to Legislative Session being adjourned on the 21^st, this year, we will celebrate World Down Syndrome Day on Friday, March 19^th online!

This year’s celebration kicks off with the Governor’s office, Senate, and House of Delegates offering resolutions and a proclamation to once again celebrate people with Down syndrome and their families and declare 3/21 Down Syndrome Day in Maryland. We invite everyone to tune into the Senate and House livestreams on the Maryland General Assembly website.

Online Celebration and Dance Party

From 3:30 to 4:30 PM on March 19^th, join us for an Online Celebration and Dance Party to wrap up your week! Hear remarks from advocates with Down syndrome, the Maryland Department of Disabilities, First Lady Yumi Hogan, and leaders from Maryland’s State Senate and House of Delegates. Afterward, get movin’ during a Dance Party with a live DJ! Register for the free event below. Make sure to rock your favorite colorful and/or mismatched socks!

Rock Your Socks

Join in on Chesapeake Down Syndrome Parent Group’s (CDSPG) Rock Your Socks event! They are creating a single, global voice advocating for the rights, inclusion, and well-being of people with Down syndrome in our schools, community, and around the world. During the event on Friday, March 19^th, and on World Down Syndrome Day on Sunday, March 21^st, we invite you to wear colorful and/or mismatched socks: a WDSD tradition!

“The idea was created because chromosomes are shaped “like socks” and people with Down syndrome have an extra chromosome.” – Excerpt from Arkansas Down Syndrome Association (ardownsyndrome.org – accessed February 2021)

If you need socks for WDSD, you can purchase them from the CDSPG website below.

Social Media

Let us know that you are celebrating World Down Syndrome Day by posting pictures of you and your family rocking your socks! Make sure to include #RockYourSocksCDSPG in your post, and tag your legislators to let them know why World Down Syndrome Day is important to you!

Sample Post:  I am rocking my colorful/mismatched socks today to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day! I am advocating for the rights, inclusion, and well-being of people with Down syndrome in our schools, community, and around Maryland! [@My Senator/Delegate] I invite you to rock your socks this Sunday, March 21^st! #RockYourSocksCDSPG

You can also update your Facebook profile picture to include a World Down Syndrome Day Frame around it to show that you are part of the celebration!

How to use the Frame on your computer:

1. Add a Facebook Profile Frame here.
2. Search for “World Down Syndrome Day The Arc Maryland”
3. Select the frame “World Down Syndrome Day By The Arc Maryland”
4. Choose how long you want to set the picture for along the bottom menu.
5. Click “Use as profile picture” and you are done!

How to use the Frame on your Phone App:

1. Make sure you like The Arc Maryland on Facebook.
2. Go to your profile.
3. Click your profile picture.
4. Click “Add Frame”
5. Scroll Down to “Frames From Pages You Like”
6. If it does not show up on your options, click “See All” and search for “World Down Syndrome Day.”

Zoom Background

When you’re in virtual meetings during the week, you can use our virtual background to celebrate! We have created this option especially for World Down Syndrome Day 2021! Click the button below to access it!